[ag Aircraft Panel Gallery. Accept that youll be a test pilot for a few hours. Discussion in 'Maintenance Bay' started by bjohnsonmn, Oct 6, . I've yet to see one do that "happily." Seven approached so low that they hit an obstruction or impacted the ground short of the runway. Diversity and the version made for helicopters. Apart from the aforementioned ADs, Comanches are unremarkable; most other ADs are minor and/or shotgun directives that apply to many airplanes. What differentiates the IFD550 from the IFD540 is the IFD550s ARS, or attitude reference system. All rights reserved. Lets equip and move on because the real news in the avionics market is the serious surge in competition, combined with a shift from expensive TSO approvals to STCs. Also, the carbureted O-540 found in the Comanche 250 may be upgraded to fuel injection. Belts: Replace / Upgrade; Piper; PA24/30/39 Comanche; PA24/30/39 Comanche FAA/TSO-C114 OEM quality AmSafe 3-point diagonal replacement restraints for PA24 & PA30 Comaches with existing factory installed shoulder harnesses, or a replacement for an STC installation. (Aircraft Sales/General Info), parts@johnstonaircraft.com Yes, you can usually run fine with one or two a shade LOP, and the rest at or rich of peak, but not all of them. Buying (an airplane) is not as hard as dealing with it in the first few years. 24WS, Arapaho Dorsal Fin. Expect overruns and long downtimes. All of the fuel bladders should be replaced with new ones. LYCOMING, BENDIX IGNITION, "COMANCHE". Were putting the finishing touches on an engine monitor roundup for a future issue of Aviation Consumer, but well give you a brief primer here. There were 17 accidents involving pilots either running completely out of fuel or running a tank dry and not then selecting a tank containing fuel and getting a restart in the time remaining in flight. That is because of a simple fact that anybody who has painted their house or restained their deck knows: Strip and prep are the most time-consuming part of the paint job, by Piper Owner Society | Jun 8, 2022 | Maintenance, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. As with a car stereo or home theater setup, you can get help with the wiring harnesses, and Piehl, who didnt farm out very much in this restoration, did use one of those services. Well hammer out the difference in the upcoming market scan. There were eight LOC events in IMC or dark night conditions. The familiar Wholey Cowl (which is no longer available for Comanche singles) eliminates the Slipper mod and boosts the top speed by a whopping 15 MPH. However, while the airplane isnt intrinsically difficult to service, understand and accept that this is an old aircraft-even the newest Comanche is nearly 50 years of age. That's why some 2,155 Twin Comanches were sold during the airplane's 10-year (1963 to 1972) production run. To round out the landing accidents, only one pilot couldnt get stopped on the available runway-well below what we expect to see in our accident reviews. Thats the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, which also has a growing STC list and some smart features as standard. Mon-Fri:9:00am 5:30pm Its worth mentioning Garmins G500/600TXi PFD/MFD, which came out before the G3X Touch was certified. Piper kept the Comanches electromechanical manual landing gear relatively simple, although it can be a source of woes when not maintained properly. The performance change has been incredibleI cant begin to explain how different the plane feels. The Comanche panel has limited space, vertically, Piehl said. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Range remains one of the Comanches strong points and many have been fitted with even more fuel capacity in tip tanks and fuselage tanks to give it impressive endurance. Buy 3+ Items & Get 10% Off Your Purchase. This requires the use of micrometers, calipers, thickness gauges, and other measuring equipment to ensure that all parts meet the tolerances required by the engine manufacturer. Ive found that landing gear bungees generally need replacement at every annual inspection. To ask questions and discuss these tips, visit our forum here. You don't have to go wide open with it, typically in my Travelair I would lose 2-3kts and save 3gph while still running smooth. Model 415 O200A Engine Upgrade STC SA2628WE . Depending on the model and mods, it seems like a Comanche can have a never-ending supply of fuel tanks. Same as the FDL-978-RX, but with a built-in GPS. We think the effort and cost is worth it given the added utility, including minimum callouts when on an approach. Piper Comanche PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-39 Models. Lets begin with an ADS-B wrap-up. AXP322 is remote version. Upgrading a Comanche Panel: Photo Gallery. Also note that this engine has some really cool colors. This means in those applications there is limited rewiring required. Ive seen some IAs do the six-cylinder engine conversion and sign it off with a logbook entry. WE LIKE ALL OF THEM, ENGINE OVERHAUL On the higher end, Garmin has a widespread STC for the once experimental G3X Touch. Click here or above for a free download: Cherokee guide OR free digital issue. Email: darren@powerflowsystems.com, Address: At this point the ADS-B buy-in decision should be easy. rebuilds of your existing Piper factory. Comanche is my favorite Piper single. function MSFPpreload(img) install a One-Piece Windshield, our High Performance good looking Wingtips, one When compared to a Comanche B, the 400 has a gross weight 500 pounds higher. 30RS, Rudder Gap Seal Kit. the North American representative 24RS $399.40 Add to Cart sku: 24WR Wing Root Fairing Kit. In fact, the IFD100 app essentially adds a second IFD550 display/control set on the tablet. The mods that can offer the most speed include relocating the brakes to the inside of the gear forks, gap seals, wheel well slippers and wingroot fairings, both front and rear. Comanche PA-24 Models. Since its important that the flight controls are properly rigged (while ensuring the landing gear and landing gear doors are retracted fully and fit flush) this should be the first step before any aftermarket mods are installed. By then, Piper was already established in Vero Beach, Florida, but neither the single nor the Twin Comanche variants made the transition to Vero. Everything Laminar Flow Systems makes has integrity, a design philosophy which puts the pilot 1st! There were a number of different models built during that . The Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche was designed as a twin-engined variant of the Piper PA-24 Comanche. But as budget-based as these solutions are, shops still report that the most popular ADS-B upgrade is Garmins GTX345 ADS-B In and Out transponder. Subsequent Comanche models both single- and twin-engine were built until 1972. Pending TSO certification. Aftermarket gear warning systems are also a good investment to supplement the system originally installed. youre down.. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav2n=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav2h=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn_a.gif"); } The extra 10 GPH the big-engined Comanche 400 burns yields only about 10 to 15 extra knots. In my opinion, there is no reason to own a 180 Comanche unless you are consumed with fuel range and can tolerate the vibration from the engine being so far out from the firewall. Designed to work with and connects to the existing Mode A/C transponder. If youve already invested in a modern transponder upgrade and dont fly above 18,000 feet, one top pick is the uAvionix skyBeacon wingtip unit with LED position and strobe lamps. Parts 1 and 2 of this Piper Comanche restoration series are also free to read. But it's a nice theory. This rebuilding a Piper engine article is from Greg Piehl, who lives in St. by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 9, 2022 | Avionics, Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0, by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 9, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Walter Sykes, (561) 278-1964. ADS-B In only, for use with 1090ES transponder. My performance improvements are way beyond anything I expected. Garmin Budget Glass Cockpits Remember when a basic. Learn how to repair plastic trim here. Suite A & B EVOLUTION MFD, some garmin and avidyne displays. { Turns out the claim was close enough to crown the skyBeacon a winner for a budget-based solution, the deal sweetened with a two-for LED lighting upgrade. Other than the obvious boost in confidence and reliability, getting rid of all that hardware sheds sizable weight and clutter behind the instrument panel. Complete replacement of your exhaust system. SE 57 WE Installation of two Roto-Master Turbochargers P/N 600572-00 on Continental TSIO-520-D engine. I gave them the info on the avionics I chose, and the layout of them in the panel. So to help sort it out, in this article well offer an around-the-bases look at the most popular new avionics configurations-from entry-level (for basic aircraft) to higher-budget (for go-places higher-end machines). Realistically, youll want to budget $2000 for an easy installation (including the strobe light), paperwork and flight testing, and a bit more if the light doesnt exactly bolt directly in place of the existing lamp assembly. ON AND UNDERSTAND Most 250s had carbureted Lycoming O-540-AIA5 engines, but a small number were fitted out with fuel-injected versions of the same engine. Piper Aircraft has always offered some of the best aviation values in the sky. Its also intended as an easy replacement for the S-TEC 55-series autopilot with minimal rewiring. What stands out in this section of our overhaul is the way that Piehl again constructs a template with which to practice and test his major work. . Theres also an extensive wireless (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) interface for connecting the IFD to external devices, including an iPad running Avidynes IFD100 app, in addition to ForeFlight. Two interesting facts related to this section of the overhaul: Just about the only things that survived to todays version of this Comanche are the seat frames, and just about the only thing that Piehl or his friends didnt do on this plane comes in this installment the leather upholstery work. PA24-260( ) Comanche. Sun n Fun 2023: Superior Custom Instrument Panels. CHOOSE YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: CHEROKEE GUIDE OR DIGITAL ISSUE, How to Disassemble and Transport a Legacy Piper, How and Why to Strip Your Plane Yourself Before it Gets Repainted, Restoring the Interior of a Legacy Piper: How You Can Save Money, Comanche Engine and Mounts: What Happens During an Upgrade, Comanche Reassembly: What a Legacy Piper Looks Like When Its Taken Apart. The 180 Comanches load-carrying capacity is ample but modest. Piper Comanche PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-39 Models. Youll need them for support, including software and hardware upgrades as the systems mature. Also, the inspector must have experience using this equipment.. Plus, it can be well-maintained at a lower cost than aircraft of lesser performance due to the widespread use of generic parts. Insurance will vary with a pilots experience. Call or Write for our Comanche Catalog 180-250-260-400- TWIN COMANCHES WE LIKE ALL OF THEM COMPLETE AIRCRAFT SERVICE FACILITIES So I sent the crankcase off to DivCo in Oklahoma City (www.divcoinc.com), the crankshaft to Rick Romans Inc. (Tulsa, Oklahoma), and Im fortunate enough that at my home airport, we have one of the finest engine facilities in the country Zephyr Aircraft Engines (Zephyrhills, Florida, www.zephyrengines.com).. Youll need a reliable unit for the long term. The straight roofline giving theComanche its distinctive crewcut looks also reduces visibility upward, although its not as bad as some airplanes and does provide welcome shade in hot climates. or Write for our Comanche Catalog The trim is generally in very poor condition, with various cracks in the trim and deformation around the screw holes. Their excellent build quality with total corrosion proofing before assembly and compound curve panels meant that the underlying cost structure was greater than emerging designs from either Piper or its competitors. I hold commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings, have 2300 hours total time with 500-plus hours of complex time, plus Ive logged about 200 hours in my Comanche. Theres also an AD on the vertical fin attachment (AD 75-12-06). Theres roughly a $6000 greater price delta between the 10-inch G500TXi ($15,995) and the 10-inch G3X Touch. Upon shutdown, this allows the oil to drain from the hot turbos instead of remaining inside them and cooking. The 100-pound rise in gross gave the airplane a hefty 1427-pound useful load. Diversity Mode S transponder with ADS-B Out when connected with an appropriate WAAS GPS. Garmin's G500 retrofit avionics system ranks as one of the best values in aviation, offering a host of advanced capabilities for under $20,000. After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, just in time for AirVenture in July and August 2021. For comparison, an American. The paint I use is Imron, with an epoxy primer. Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B Transponder. It's a pricey and time-consuming effort that many Belvoir Media Group, LLC. I flight plan for 13.5 GPH, but flying from 9500 to 11,500 feet will reduce the fuel flow to around 12 GPH. This issue (April 2022), the Comanche restoration moves to the interior, where Greg replaced almost everything inside the hull. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Not bothering with a preflight briefing, he took off and flew to his Plan B airport, where he learned, on Unicom, that it was closed. Arch-Warrior, Inc. offers an STC to covert a Warrior to 180 HP. The installation requires mounting the GPS antenna on the cabin and wiring the unit. It offers a magazine as well as other resources and can be reached at 888-300-0082 or via the website at www.comancheflyers.com. What about temperatures in the 15-30 degree range? Many carb engines will happily run LOP too. We have been in the Aviation Support Business Of course the dense market doesnt make an already difficult buying decision any easier. Garmin GI 106B Course Deviation Indicator. We are certified to install Continental TSIO-360KB engines in your Seneca II. The Comanche C was rolled out in 1969, with further refinements, including another gross weight increase and a distinctive shark nose cowl starting with serial number 24-4804. Piper designed and built the aircraft from 1956 until 1972, when the manufacturing plant was wiped out by a massive flood and production ceased. Consider that the airplane had a tail-low stance when its weight is on the wheels. Moreover, the aircraft are relatively complex-certainly when compared to, for example, a Cessna 182-so dont assume it will be as cheap to maintain. Models: 421C. The 1965 Comanches are transitionairplanes in that they have the earlier fuselage mated to the later 260-HP engine, albeit with a carburetor. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. There could be major panel work involved, and it might not work fully with your autopilot. Contrast that with the G3X Touch, which essentially requires a Garmin navigator for its digital data bus interface. (replacing the carbureted O-320/360 engine/prop with a fuel-injected Piper Arrow IO-360 propulsion system . Its a true traveling airplane and I flight plan for 157 knots when at full throttle. Still, the respected International Comanche Society (ICS) reports the best way to learn to land-and fly-this machine is to get some dual from an expert in the type, not the local flight school unless they have a Comanche expert on hand-and some schools even have Comanches. The airplane also gained cowl flaps and an aileron-rudder interconnect. The basic airframe proved successful and wasnt changed much during its production run. If you already invested in Aspens Evolution retrofit EFIS, you probably recognize that the system can use a jumpstart in processing speed and graphics display. To hold more fuel needed to feed it, there were optional 130-gallon tanks. I could not believe the difference. Prices vary with engine size, but start at around $5000 plus installation. contact us for horns, installation kits, horn installations in your Comanche, or Engine SMOH: 998. I would prove that time and again in my Comanche 250. The good news for owners left in the cold is that many of the probes and sensors for this system can work with a JP Instruments engine monitor, including the EDM930. (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 3 )) || *$4495 with Flight Stream 210 (built-in AHRS), version for helicopters. Engine Upgrades, What is possible. In 1972, there were two single-engine Comanche models still in production-the 260 and turbo 260. One on the landing gear (AD 77-13-21) mandates replacement of landing gear bungees every 500 hours or three years to prevent landing gear collapse after manual extension. If you have aging fuel senders, expect to either have them overhauled or in many cases replaced with digital senders that may prove far more accurate than older analog senders. When I purchased the new cylinders, Zephyr Aircraft Engine said, Do not install cylinders and pistons right from the factory, you want to have them blueprinted.. With a tapered laminar-flow wing, respectable speed (big-engine models make downright impressive numbers), solid handling and lots of available speed mods, the right Comanche could be one of the most desirable vintage piston singles. There were a few companies involved in this stage. I didnt really want to paint the engine all Lycoming gray, Piehl said. A complete overhaul must also include inspection and measurements on all engine components. For dual installations (maybe an IFD550 and IFD440), the connections are independent for redundancy, but have full synchronization. Avidyne was the first with a hybrid user interface, which means you use a combination of touch and button presses. Last edited: Oct 6, 2013. Piper Comanche. Partial plug-and-play with KT76A/C, KT78A transponders, requires WAAS GPS input. The engines are identical, but with a different propeller redline. There was a little bit more than that (headset jacks/wiring/soldering), but their work is of the highest quality., One other thing that Piehl stressed about this part of the project you need to coordinate the field approval before you start this process. Some go as far as installing a smaller nosewheel tire and others simply pump up the main gear oleos to reduce the static angle of attack on takeoff. Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Better yet, the Max gives existing Aspen owners an upgrade path, plus it runs upgrade promotions (currently $4995) and can upgrade your existing display or send your shop an exchange. HAS WAAS GPS, touchscreen, displays traffic and weather on some aspen, avidyne and garmin displays. If theres any doubt about its health, have your shop evaluate it. Garmin GTN 750 Touchscreen GPS/Nav/Comm. And it's fun to recall some Piper engineers, back when it was introduced, boasting that the fat, new, stubby wing was actually every bit as good as the sexier-looking tapered Comanche wing, aerodynamically. ADS-B is old news. In flight, the Comanche is smooth, stable and tight, with a climb rate that is impressive and difficult to prevent. wheaton] [CP Our journey has reached the engine of Greg Piehls Comanche. The cabin itself is roomy and comfortable with good width, if a bit drafty and noisy, say some owners. Display name: Doug. Garmins GFC500 started life as an autopilot for experimental aircraft, but now has a sizable STC list for certified aircraft. The AD list is pretty long, but most of the items are one-time fixes, followed by future inspection. Click here. While Comanche engines are generally dependable, beware of top-end overhauls that were accomplished without replacing the cylinders with new ones. New aircraft models approved for the GFC 600 autopilot include: Cessna 421. You can modify its engine, its look, its handling, its panel and its features. I basically just had to make the power connections to each component/circuit breaker. Ask your shop what models are approved for your aircraft and price them all. Partial plug-and-play with some existing BendixKing transponders. Discussion in 'Maintenance Bay' started by bjohnsonmn, Oct 6, 2013. A turbonormalized version of the Comanche C was offered alongside the normally aspirated model in 1970. The plane has not been a drain maintenance wise. Basic annual inspections are done at a full-service FBO and run about $1400 when owner assisted. How can you improve the oil-change interval from 25 hours to 50 hours on a legacy Piper. Because of that, I had to choose some remote-mounted components such as the transponder, the ADS-B system, and a second communication radio.. I cannot remember what I read, and where I read it. (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 4 ))); The Comanche is gentle when it comes to stalls and is stable for flying instruments. PROPELLER and TEXTRON LYCOMING. 2-blade Scimitar. These days, major avionics upgrades include sourcing a new instrument panel to accommodate large flight displays. The modification was said to yield a little extra HP, and about a 1-2gph drop in cruise. Its a small panel; its wide but not tall. 24RS, Wing Root Fairing Kit. It mounts just aft of the nosewheel well and helps the existing cooling air turn parallel to the belly of the airplane in a more efficient pattern, yielding a 3-MPH speed gain. For training info, try www.comanchetraining.com. First, weve worked on enough Comanches to say that the airplane is perhaps one of the best built all-metal singles of its time. Electric flaps replaced the manual ones in 1962 models. Location: SF Bay area. Requires WAAS GPS input, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight app. Theres also the Delphi Airworthy Comanche Forum (https://forums.delphiforums.com/Comanches), and we spotted tons of useful threads on all things Comanche-from avionics to lighting to service parts. AUSTRALIAN HORN COMPRISES, Please Also, a different prop AD (AD 97- 18-02) can prove costly for 250/260 owners. 24DF, Vortex Generator Kit, Piper PA-24 Models, Challenger Air Filter, High Performance (CP-3110). Ive found that many aircraft are compliant. Has built-in WAAS GPS receiver, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth, Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight app. to eliminate the repetitive inspections of the factory unit. In 1966, the Comanche B, with a fuel-injected 260-HP Lycoming IO-540-D4A5, a boosted gross weight (now 3100 pounds) and two more seats, was added to the lineup, starting with serial number 24-4300. by Piper Owner Society | Feb 13, 2023 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0.

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